Hmmm.. due to unforeseen circumstances, my other half now needs a car again as the scooter she has isn't good enuff.

I reckon we'll be looking circa £4-5K... I know a lot of peeps have looked at this recently... what are your recommendations, its got to be cheap to run (shes a student so I'll end up paying running costs).

Thanks in advance, Alex

Alex - petrol or diesel matey? what sort of mileage will she be doing? how much performance is she after and finally <phew> what model year?

Richard,

Cheers for the quick reply...

Hmm.. well, knowing her and after experiencing her driving her last car (Punto 1.1), it will need to fit roughly into the following spec:

Petrol with a bit of go in it..
decent brakes (discs if possible at least at the front)
slightly sporting suspension
But MPG not too horrific, but she'll be doing low mileage.
And insurance group not too high, she's 22, 2yrs NCB, no endorsements (doing better than me, 27, 1yr NCB, 3points!).
I s'poose dependant on type of car, less than 5 yrs odd.
I also s'pose i may be able to stretch to £6.5K if I had to.

Oh balls, sounds like I need will to spend a bit more and get her a MY'97/98 Impreza Sport or bog standard 2.0l :eek:

The idea is, with a bit of performance, she probably won't rag the nuts off it, and will be able to stop the car (the punto was scarey, first time in years I've been car sick!).

Any suggestions??

Cheers,
Alex

[Edited by DrEvil - 12/28/2001 10:54:57 AM]

hmmm Saxo VTR? If she goes to a girlie specialist insurer she could get a very good deal...

How about brand new Ford Fiesta Finesse - I think its about 7.5K but they are doing 0% finance at the mo'..

Or you could do worse than a Scoob Sport but I dunno what they're like on economy...

Saxo VTR, shes says they're too small, shes another one of these 206 nuts... as for the Fiesta, hmm, may take a look, although I've sworn never to buy a ford, I'll pop down the dealer this weekend, sounds liek a good deal...

Hmm, the sport economy is not much better than the turbo in real terms, 25-30 mpg, instead of 20-25 for the turbo (dependant on driving style!).

S'pose a version of the civic is an option, albeit potentially higher cost...

I do like the sound of 0% interest thou!

Alex

Alex - how about a 96/97 306 GTi-6 or XSi.

Bigger than the Saxo, just as quick GTi as VTS and XSi as VTR.
The GTi will be about 6-7k and the Xsi should be (depending on year) anything from 2k to 8k. I used to have the GTi-6 and only very rarely did it drop below 30mpg, handles brilliantly and the brakes are superb - much better than my MY99 scoob :( The only bummer is group 15/16 insurance. Or you've got the XSi (3 or 5 door) pre april 97 was 8v and post was 16v. The 8v is group 12 and 0-60 in 8.8 secs and the 16v also group 12 and is 10.4 secs.

(Also theres the Xsara VTR/VTS in your budget too)

Mk3 Golf GTi? Renault Megane Coupe 1.6 or 2.0?
VW Polo 16v??????

Hope thats of some help mate
Cheers
Neil.

Edited bit ;) - Yeah also got the last shape Civic VTi etc - mate had one, not bad at all. Don't buy a Fiesta, a mate of mine bought an X plate Zetec 1.25 and has had no end of problems and back to the dealer more than 6 times for lots of different problems :(

Thats all folks ;)

[Edited by ScoobyJawa - 12/28/2001 1:19:58 PM]

Just another to say that the 206's aren't IMHO, up to much. They are cramped compared to the 306 and the pedals are too close together like in a 106. The interior of the 206 is a really nasty grey textured plastic too :( I've driven both and the 206 doesn't handle or stop as well and its a nightmare to park coz you can't see the end of the bonnet - and I'm 6ft and a bit ;) Thats why I didn't include them ;)

What about the Fiat Bravo 1.8HLX 16V.

Just got one for my partner cheap to run, sporty, bloody good brakes and Group 8 insurance.:)

You would be looking anywhere for 2K upto 7.5/8K depending on MY.

Just a thought.

Neil

P.S. It's got heated seats as well:D

Alex,

SEAT.....we have had a few as second cars and they are excellent value; reliable and good to drive. The 1.0litre Arosa and 1.4litre Ibiza really did impress me and put a smile on my face every time I drove them; local dealer service was spot on too.

Cheers

Thanks guys for all your input it is much appreciated and well yes Evil was right to say that I tend to rag the Boll***s off anything under a 1.6litre. I even found the rev limit in first in a punto 1.1 is about 35mph!!;) oh well I have promised not to be quite such a boy racer when I get another car. really Alex I won't;)

So general consensus is that choices are Saxo VTR, Ibiza, Bravo and Fiesta if they weren't a Ford.

Cheers Milly

PS if anyone sees anything going really cheap privately along these lines give me a shout.

Oh and if I am going to get a car then I have a Peugout Speed Fight Xrace scooter for sale 100cc very cheap to run and 3 months old.